Updated: August 22, 2007

UPDATE ON AIR QUALITY TESTING FROM 130 LIBERTY STREET FIRE

Air Quality Testing Is Ongoing

Following Saturday's fire, the Department of Environmental Protection instituted air quality testing at the 130 Liberty Street site to supplement testing that has been ongoing during the building deconstruction project. Sampling stations set up as part of the deconstruction project test for several contaminants and particulate matter. Some of the sampling stations have been rendered inaccessible due to the fire investigation and other operations ongoing at the site. Of the 12 fixed sampling stations, 8 were accessible on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. As would be expected during a large building fire, sampling results collected on Saturday show elevated levels of various metals (i.e., Antimony, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Nickel and Zinc). However, the metals results remained below the Target Air Quality Levels and USEPA Site Trigger Levels for the site. Air sample results for metals collected on Sunday, August 19 were back to normal levels. Sampling results for mercury collected on Saturday and Sunday were below the limits of detection. Air sampling for asbestos is ongoing at these fixed locations and at the 14 new locations ordered by DEP. To date, 337 samples from all locations - immediately adjacent to 130 Liberty Street and from several locations on surrounding blocks - have tested negative for asbestos. Additional tests for other potential contaminants are pending. Information on air sampling related to the deconstruction of 130 Liberty Street is available at the website of the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center. Additional test results will be posted on www.lowermanhattan.info as they become available. DEP will continue to conduct air sample testing from the scene.